Nicki Minaj has found herself at the centre of controversy following comments she made during an appearance at AmericaFest in Arizona on December 3, 2023. While on stage with Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Minaj referred to JD Vance as an “assassin,” a remark that sparked immediate backlash given the sensitive context.
The incident occurred during a Q&A session where Kirk, now CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit advocating for conservative values among youth, asked Minaj to share advice for young men in the audience. In response, Minaj stated, “Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president and you have amazing role models like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president.” The comment appeared to catch Minaj off guard, as she quickly covered her mouth and averted her gaze, recognizing the gravity of the slip while seated beside Kirk.
Kirk attempted to ease the tension by assuring Minaj that she had heard far worse in her experiences, stating, “There is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard.” She added, “I love you,” before addressing the audience with a light-hearted approach, encouraging them to “laugh about it.” Kirk reflected on her own resilience, saying, “I have been called every single thing, and you know what? God is so good you let it roll right off your back.”
Despite the awkward moment, Kirk praised Minaj, calling her an “amazing woman” and emphasizing that “words are words.” She expressed confidence in Minaj’s character, saying, “But I know her heart, and it doesn’t even matter.”
Minaj, who has openly supported right-wing figures in recent years, further engaged the audience by stating, “We’re the cool kids. The other people, they’re the ones who are still just disgruntled, but really they’re just disgruntled with themselves.” She expressed admiration for both Donald Trump and Vance, saying, “I love both of them. Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
Following her appearance, Minaj experienced a significant drop in her social media following, losing hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram. As of now, she has deactivated her account, although she remains active on X, where she shared images from her time on stage with Kirk.
The incident has underscored the complexities of celebrity involvement in political discourse, particularly in an environment where public figures wield considerable influence. As Minaj navigates the fallout from her comments, the entertainment and political landscapes continue to intersect in increasingly contentious ways.
